BFBS Radio Sitrep

European Defence gets serious but Britain wants to be big in Japan. The Afghan Interpreter who feels he's being treated like a criminal in the UK. Also in the programme – the Royal Navy says goodbye to Atherstone and Quorn What tickles the troops?  Is Forces humour different? And war stories from a seasoned correspondent…..

In today’s programme Sitrep hears from the PM who’s been visiting British troops in Iraq. Plus…..Is the international response against North Korea strong enough? Find out why the defence chiefs got a telling off. Beach landings - do we still need an amphibious capability? And that rousing regimental boxing speech – Sitrep hears from the officer that made it. THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web & App in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum).  On Sky Channel 0211. Alternatively - listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

Is there a problem with the Type 45 Destroyers? How much will Britain's F35 aircraft programme cost in the long term? It's Thanksgiving today in America - but what, in name of Trump, should Americans be thankful for? And Op Shader -  from the pilot's view in the skies above Iraq. THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web & App in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum).  On Sky Channel 0211. Alternatively - listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.

SITREP TRAIL THURS, 16th November 2017 (KATE PRESENTS TODAY)   What’s the truth behind the criticisms that the armed forces are close to breaking point without more investment?   What’s going on in Zimbabwe - has Mugabe’s reign finally come to an end   Is Lebanon the new centre for war in the Middle East?   And we pay tribute to one of the first females pilots of the Second World War – Joy Lofthouse.

Nato agrees to three thousand extra troops for their training mission in Afghanistan – but where will they come from? We feature a special report about British troops training soldiers in war-torn Somalia. What will be the role of Artificial Intelligence in future conflicts? And, what if social media had existed during the First World War?  An insight to a unique project allows us to eavesdrop…….find out more in today’s Sitrep.

Sir Michael Fallon has resigned from the top job at the Ministry of Defence..and the former Chief Whip Gavin Williamson will take his place as the new Secretary of State for Defence. Sitrep examines Fallon’s legacy and looks at the issues facing the new defence secretary ahead of a mini defence review & an important NATO meeting. Join Tim Cooper and special guests in a special edition of Sitrep.

Can Britain afford to have its own defence industry?   Catalonia seeks independence from Spain but still wants to be in NATO,   Minehunting off the coast of Scotland for Exercise Joint Warrior,   And returning from the hurricanes, RAF Brize Norton welcomes back Op Ruman's air crews.     TOPICS   DEFENCE CUTS Editor of Defence Analysis Francis Tusa & BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee .   CATALAN DEFENCE James Hasik is a senior fellow in the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security.   EXERCISE JOINT WARRIOR BFBS Reporter Rosie Laydon & BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.   OP RUMAN RETURN BFBS Reporter Alex Gill.   REMEMBRANCE – THE QUEEN BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee.   THURSDAYS at 4:30pm UK TIME on BFBS RADIO 2 and at 6:30pm UK TIME on BFBS & UK Bases   You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via web & App in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum). On Sky Channel 0211. Alternatively - listen again on the website, or download the Sitrep Podcast.  

  Defence spending – do we spend the right amount on the right equipment?   NATO troops could be out of Afghanistan within four years...that’s the prediction from the country's President.   Could a growing cadet force be the answer to the forces recruitment problem?   And.... how 3D printing could be the next big thing in winning wars.    Guests: BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee     TOPICS   DEFENCE SPENDING Pete Sandeman, Director of the online campaign "Save The Royal Navy" & Ben Moores  - a Defence and Aviation Analyst from IHS Janes.                        AFGHANISTAN BBC's Justin Rowlatt, who’s interviewed The Afghan President, Ashraf Ghan.   CADETS BFBS Defence Analyst Christopher Lee   3D Printing BFBS Reporter Hannah King

North Korea: How close are we to actual war? The battle for Raqqa  - what happens when ISIS are defeated? The fight for Kurdish independence – what does it mean for the Middle East? Nato’s international rescue for Submarines… And, after 90 years the White Helmets wave goodbye……………

  Trump’s speech to the UN – why it’s a game-changer… Is the Ministry of Defence considering reducing the size of the Royal Marines? Three years of Op Shader, Sitrep goes behind the scenes at Al Udeid? British Forces are suffering from a recruitment crisis – so should we bring back national service? Guests: Former Director General of the Royal United Services Institute Professor Michael Clarke. TOPICS TRUMP/UN Former Director General of the Royal United Services Institute Professor Michael Clarke. HURRICANE MARIA Forces News reporter Rebecca Ricks on board RFA Mount Bay. ROYAL MARINES - CUTS Major General Julian Thompson, former RM commander, Deborah Haynes the Defence Editor at The Times and former Director General of the Royal United Services Institute Professor Michael Clarke. AL UDEID /OP SHADER Forces News reporter  Simon Newton goes behind the scenes. CONSCRIPTION Elisabeth Braw, a non-resident Senior fellow at the Atlantic Council & former Director General of the Royal United Services Institute Professor Michael Clarke.